Yamal crater, Subsidence crater in Yamalsky District, Russia.
Yamal crater is a subsidence crater in the Yamalsky District measuring roughly 70 meters across with steep walls that drop steeply downward. The base contains methane-rich deposits released from the surrounding permafrost.
Scientists first documented this crater in 2014, sparking intensive research into permafrost changes in the Arctic region. Since then it has become a key example of how warming affects northern landscapes.
The indigenous Nenets people of the Yamal Peninsula integrate the crater's presence into their traditional nomadic reindeer herding patterns across the tundra.
Reaching this remote location requires specialized equipment and local guides experienced with extreme Arctic conditions. Visit during the brief warmer months when travel across the tundra becomes somewhat more manageable.
The crater formed when pressure from underground frozen salt solutions explosively released methane, causing the surface to collapse. This mechanism reveals how complex the processes working beneath the tundra actually are.
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